The California Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973 was enacted by the state legislature to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for all California workers. This law was passed by the U. S. Congress in 1970 to ensure safe working conditions across the country, and established the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Signed into law by President Richard Nixon in December, Congress determined that personal injuries and illnesses in the workplace contributed to a decline in production and wages, as well as an increase in medical expenses and disability compensation. The Occupational Safety and Health Act is designed to protect workers from potential hazards that may affect their safety and health, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, harmful noises, thermal stress factors, and unsanitary conditions. It also provides for research, education, and training related to occupational safety and health in the territories. Most states partially or fully control occupational health and safety regulations for their employees.
The OSH Act covers most private sector employers and their workers, as well as some employers and public sector workers in all 50 states and certain territories and jurisdictions under federal authority. People who are not protected by law include those who are self-employed, workers on small family farms, and those who work in an industry regulated by an independent federal agency. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) acts as the enforcement arm of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. While the legislation gave OSHA the authority to create industry-specific guidelines, it also described a “general obligation clause” which applies to all employers in all sectors. This clause, officially Section 5 (a) of the Act, is in effect the mandate of OSHA and stipulates that employers must provide a safe environment for their workers.
In some parts of the country, a state agency approved by OSHA helps establish and enforce workplace safety regulations. However, these rules must be at least as stringent as those in federal guidelines. OSHA enforces its regulations and standards by conducting inspections of workplaces and worksites. Violators face penalties and fines which are adjusted annually for inflation. The agency also provides for the establishment and oversight of programs for the education and training of employers and employees on the recognition, avoidance, and prevention of unsafe or unhealthy working conditions in jobs covered by this Act.
Additionally, it encourages voluntary efforts that employers can undertake to establish and maintain safe and healthy jobs and workplaces. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 is a U. labor law that governs federal occupational health and safety law in the private sector and the federal government of the United States. The bill also contained a general obligation clause requiring employers to provide a safe and healthy job and workplace. At the request of any employer that is required to measure and record the exposure of employees to physical substances or agents as provided in this subsection, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide all financial or other assistance to that employer for the purpose of defraying any additional expenses incurred in carrying out the measurement and recording as provided in this subsection. In conclusion, The Occupational Safety & Health Act is an important piece of legislation that ensures safe working conditions for all employees across America.
It provides protection from potential hazards that may affect their safety & health while also providing research & training related to occupational safety & health.
